Engineering news
The Office for Nuclear Regulation has justified plans to raise a safety limit at the Dungeness B Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) in Kent.
The regulator is currently assessing an application by French power giant EDF to increase the weight loss limit of the graphite bricks at the core of the reactor from 6.2% to 8%. The bricks, which are vital for safety, degrade and crack over time due to the effects of radiation and coolant CO2.
ONR said that it was currently assessing the justification for the increase, and that there was no indication of any safety concerns.
The decision to raise the limit is likely to mean that the ageing AGR could have its operational life extended.
ONR said: “As the UK nuclear safety regulator, we would not allow continued operation of any nuclear reactor unless it was safe to do so.
“We recognise the challenges presented by ageing of the AGR fleet in the UK, and we continue to pay close attention to the problems associated with the graphite core of the reactors.
“We are satisfied that the reactors are safe to operate. It is the responsibility of the operator, EDF to monitor the graphite behaviour and demonstrate the continued safe operation of the reactors to the satisfaction of ONR.”
The ONR acts as the independent regulator for the nuclear industry, holding to account those building, operating and decommissioning power stations.
It recently completed a switch from being an agency of the Health and Safety Executive to becoming a statutory regulatory body in its own right.
ONR chair Nick Baldwin said the move would make it a more open organisation, with a more consistent approach to nuclear regulation.